Rooftop Film's next free show in the Bronx set for Thursday at 7:45 p.m.

Here is a great recurring cinema event at the Buckner Bar and Grill sponsored by Rooftop Films. I went a few weeks ago and loved every minute of it. Great crowd, great short films, great beer and it's FREE. Stella Artois had a promotion when I went. They were giving away pints in their signature glass that you were able to keep afterwards. Rooftop Films is a great organization that receives funding from NYC Councilwoman Maria Del Carmen Arroyo (17th District - Bx). The Councilwoman picked a winner with this organization. As per their web site she is the only Bronx elected official helping to fund the organization. I hope more Bronx elected officials see the merits of the organization and help Rooftop so they can spreads borough wide. Please feel free to log onto their web site listed below and please do make some time to attend. It really has a vibrant vibe. It’s also a must for all Bronx aspiring film makers. For more information please see below.

Gregory
****
Hi there,

I wanted to let you know about Rooftop’s free show in the Bronx this week. This Thursday at 7:45 p.m. at the Bruckner Bar and Grill, we’ll be showing Gabriel Noble’s gritty, heart wrenching documentary P-Star Rising.

P-Star Rising follows Priscilla Star Diaz, an adorable and precocious little girl, who at age 9 tells her single-father, Jesse, “I am going to become a rapper and fulfill your dreams of succeeding in the music business.”

When Jesse discovers that his youngest daughter, Priscilla, can rap and perform, he sees redemption for his own failed music career and financial salvation for his family and commits his life to making her a star. We follow the father-daughter duo through the grit and glamour of the music industry, capturing the daily struggles of a single parent raising his two children alone, and the sacrifices a child makes in order to make her daddy proud.

Documentary subjects P-Star and her father Jesse will be there in person for a Q&A after the film. Let me know if you have any questions.
For more information, visit: http://rooftopfilms.com/2011/schedule/pstar-rising

Thanks!
Lela

SHOW DETAILS

WHEN:
Thursday Feb 3, 2011
7:00 p.m. Doors Open
7:45 p.m. Film Begins
9:10 p.m. Q&A

WHERE:
Indoors at the Bruckner Bar and Grill
South Bronx
1 Bruckner Blvd, Bronx, NY 10454
Subway Directions: Take the 4, 5 to 138 St. Grand Concourse or the 6 to 138 Street 3rd Avenue

THE FILM

P-Star Rising (Gabriel Noble | New York, NY | 84 min.)
At age 9, Priscilla, an adorable yet precocious little girl, tells her single-father, Jesse,: “I am going to become a rapper and fulfill your dreams of succeeding in the music business.”

At the dawn of hip-hop's breakthrough into the mainstream in the early 1980s, Jesse Diaz was poised for fame, success, and wealth, but a prison sentence soon quashed his dreams. Though Jesse manages to reclaim his life and regain custody of his two young daughters, lost to the foster care system while he was incarcerated and after their mother succumbed to drug addiction, he struggles to support his family as a single dad. Broke, unemployed, and living in temporary housing, he pins his hopes for the family's fortunes on his youngest daughter, Priscilla aka P-Star.

Recognizing Priscilla's natural musical talent and precocious personality, Jesse sets out to realize his deferred dreams of hip-hop stardom by making her the next rap phenomenon - "the youngest girl on the scene."

Filmed over four years, P-STAR RISING follows Jesse and his daughters as they navigate the peaks and pitfalls of both the music business and family relationships. As P-Star starts to break through professionally, Jesse struggles to balance his responsibilities as a father to Priscilla and her older sister Solsky with his music industry aspirations. Solsky, increasingly sidelined in the family by Priscilla’s career, does poorly in school and turns to the church for support. As Priscilla matures, she comes increasingly into conflict with Jesse, and risks losing her childhood to satisfy his demands.

From performances on the street corner to appearances on national television, from signing record deals to dealing with feelings of abandonment by Priscilla's crack-addicted mother, Gabriel Noble's chronicle of the Diaz family offers a personal, intimate look at ambition, talent, and the sacrifices family members make for one another.

Director/Producer/Cinematographer Gabriel Noble has previously directed two feature documentaries, Autumn's Eyes (SXSW Film Festival/IndiePix Films) and I Won't Love You to Death (MTV).
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Rooftop Films
Underground Movies Outdoors
www.rooftopfilms.com

Spotted: Councilwoman Arroyo Brunching at the Bruckner

Shady shot courtesy of Lis

Ahhhh, nothing eases the pain of an impending indictment quite like a nice, bubbly mimosa on a Sunday morn...

Although embattled Councilwoman Maria del Carmen Arroyo has been said to be ducking the spotlight lately (she's said to be the target of a DOI investigation into the alleged funneling of slush funds to nonprofits controlled by relatives), she did venture out for a tasty brunch (complete with mimosas!) at the always bustling Bruckner Bar and Grill yesterday morning.

The ol' BD was lucky enough to be noshing there with friends and snapped a pic of the Councilwoman by faking a little family photo at our table. Big ups to Lis for getting the shot with minimal fanfare. True, we could have just walked up to Arroyo's table and asked her for official comment about the charges rumored to be brought against her, but we're spineless bloggers who weren't looking to ruin a lovely brunch with a run-in with a shady pol.

Just in case there was any question as to the identity of Arroyo,
here's of shot of a car parked outside the Bruckner with NYC Council 17 plates.

BD Digression: By the way, we ended up at the Bruckner for brunch because we were reminded of how delish it always is by a slightly ridiculous 'Big City' column in this weekend's New York Times. Susan Dominus, who a little birdie tells us does not live in said 'Big City,' but rather up in bucolic Hastings, wrote a piece regarding an iPhone app called Foursquare which enables users to receive tips about different destinations based on their real-time location.

Ms. Dominus was riding the Metro-North through the South Bronx (and noting the "impenetrable-looking brick buildings" and "boarded up windows" both in the BoogieDown and East Harlem along the way - how gritty!) when she received word on her iPhone that someone was really enjoying their time at the "awesome neighborhood bar," Bruckner Bar and Grill.

It was upon reading this that we remembered we hadn't been there in a while...so we contacted some friends and met up for a great meal. That's the problem with this 'Big City' column...It would have been much more interesting and useful if Ms. Dominus managed to put down her iPhone and get off the train to stop into the Bruckner to check it out. Perhaps she would have expanded her horizons a bit and learned that while the South Bronx can be a little gritty, it can also be quite friendly and, more importantly, delicious!

Instead Ms. Dominus used her Foursquare app to explore the oh-so-exotic world of cuisine offerings at Grand Central Terminal. She struggles with a decision to sample fare from the Oyster Bar, Hot & Crusty, or Manhattan Chili Company -- what the what?? All these options in this 'Big City' and these are final three contenders she considers? If these are the benefits of exploring city living that Foursqaure offers, I think I'll pass.

~ErLu

Bruckner Bar & Grill Still Killin' It

We've already done a glowing review of Bruckner Bar & Grill here on BD, but we just wanted to let you all know that we went back there for brunch this past Sunday and it was just as good the second time (if not a little better).

Fancypants Lou got the Steak and Eggs with a Bloody Mary, and I got the Lorraine Omelette with cheddar cheese. Pearl stuck with her favorite, morning, noon, and night: french fries. Everything was just fabulous, and they even threw in some new brunch elements: delish warm nachos with salsa (I know, it seems a little weird to have that in the morning, but trust us, it works) and even a little mini blueberry muffin with each meal.

The service is perfect for anyone with kids - friendly and QUICK.

Nicely done, Bruckner B&G, nicely done.

~ErLu

Bruckner Bar and Grill Lives Up to the Hype

The missus, the little one, and I decided to celebrate Mother's Day with brunch at the Bruckner Bar and Grill down in Mott Haven. We were not disappointed. It was well worth the quick ride from Bedford Park.

The atmosphere was laid back and the place was filled with what seemed to be regulars. You got a real feel that BBG is a neighborhood anchor - and that people love it (with good reason!). Another huge bonus, at least for us, is that it is very baby friendly.

The food was fantastic. We started with drinks - a mimosa for the missus and a bloody mary for me. They were both delicious and affordable at only $3/each. For brunch the missus had french toast, with fruit and chocolate and peanut butter sauce. I had the eggs benedict, which were done to perfection. My dish came with little home fry cubes and a green salad.

The most impressive thing about the whole brunch was when the bill came and it was only $26! The only dish over $10 on the brunch menu is the steak and eggs (and that's only $12.50).

All things considered we were beyond impressed; we'll be back down there for some brunches in the future (or maybe with some babysitting lined up, a dinner - we're looking at you grandma).

Bruckner Bar and Grill has the official BoogieDowner stamp of approval. In fact we're already planning our Marathon watching lunch there in November...

~Erlu

A Few Surprises in 2009 Zagat Guide

Daily News' Bob Kappstatter and Tanyanika Samuels share the 2009 Zagat mentions with us in today's paper.

We were actually more surprised by who did not make the list this year after being featured last year. Firstly, the hugely popular Bruckner Bar & Grill failed to get one of the coveted Zagat listings for 2009. Wonder what happened there... Has anyone noticed any change in service/ownership/food quality there?

The second snub which surprised us was Willie's Steak House on Westchester Avenue. BoogieDowner contributor Simone Davis actually recently did a review of Willie's and raved about it. Any idea from long-time Willie's devotees as to why they'd not get a mention this year?

Not hugely surprising was Roberto Paciullo's latest hot spot, Zero Otto Nove, getting a nice write-up. BoogieDowner actually doesn't understand all the buzz around this place... the food is good, but the cavernous and sort of loud atmosphere reminds us of a kitschy Long Island restaurant. Plus, it also kind of comes off as a spot created specifically as a back-up for all us commoners who don't feel like waiting 2 hours next to a gaggle rich old ladies from Connecticut for a table at the original Roberto's around the block.

Your thoughts on the Zagat findings?

*Photo of Roberto Paciullo outside of Zero Otto Nove courtesy of Bob Kappstatter/Daily News*

~ErLu

Workin' for the Weekend

Okay, we know many of you out there are reading BoogieDowner right now because you have a case of the Monday's and are trying to avoid looking at your to-do list... Which is why we want to lift your spirits by alerting you to a super-cool event happening this weekend in SoBro!

The first annual SBX Film Festival will be taking place this Friday, Saturday, and Sunday in the Mott Haven section of SoBro. There are too many events to even mention in this post, which is why you should click here to check out their website for all the nitty-gritty details. But a few highlights of the weekend will be a kick-off party Friday at 6pm at Bruckner Bar & Grill, followed by opening night shorts, and a street arts festival Saturday from 12pm to 6pm at 1 Bruckner Blvd. and Third Avenue, complete with art vendors and a DJ spinning hip-hop and house music. The night will end with an outdoor screening of the Bronx classic "Krush Groove."

There are tons of other films being screened and events happening Saturday and Sunday at Bruckner Bar & Grill, as well as Haven Arts Gallery, SoBro Studios, Pregones Theatre, and G-Bar. Cost is only $10 per day for all events, or $5 if you have a student ID. Check out their site for more details. We will be out of town for the weekend, but would love if a BoogieDowner reader would attend and send in some pics and thoughts on the weekend!

~ErLu

Listing of the Day: Artist's Loft in Mott Haven

112 LINCOLN AVENUE - Loft - 1100 square feet, $1800/mo.
If you need open space to follow your passion, why pay more than you have to? Mott Haven is home to many industrial buildings turned artists' lofts. This particular building is called the Clock Tower and used to be an old piano factory. Pretty art-inspiring if you ask me. (photo courtesy of Newsday)

There are an ever increasing number of bars and restaurants catering to the arrivistes that will help conjure up your muse with a few drinks or friendly conversation with your hip new neighbors. The Bruckner Bar and Grill has been holding it down for the last few years, tucked under the Third Avenue Bridge. Alexander's is a new wine bar, which I'm sure is good, but I really wish they would get a permanent sign instead of that plastic tarp thing that looks like it is from a Mid-Western Brat Day Parade. Come on Alexander's, step up your game.

In any case, this apartment is wide open and even has an elevated sleeping area to allow you to do all those splatter paintings you've always wanted to do, but couldn't because of your 6 roommates huddled in that 1 bedroom in Bushwick.

Super easy transportation around the corner at the 6 train @ 138th Street and 3rd Avenue.

What are you waiting for SVA grads? Spend some of those student loan dollars in the Bronx!

Click here for full listing.

~ErLu